The category is broad. A comprehensive peer-reviewed study breaks nootropics into four main groups:
- Classical nootropic compounds, the original class of lab-developed molecules designed to improve how the brain forms and retrieves memories.
- Substances that increase brain metabolism by improving blood flow and energy production in the brain.
- Cholinergic agents that support acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter most closely tied to memory and learning.
- Plant extracts and natural compounds with nootropic effects, such as Bacopa monnieri, Ginkgo biloba, L-theanine, and others.

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What Are Nootropics, Exactly?
How Do Nootropics Work?